GEORGE NEWS - The hockey legend Doreen Martin-Jacobs died peacefully at her home on Wednesday 22 June at the ripe age of 101.
In accordance with her last wishes, a memorial service was held for her at St Mark’s Cathedral on Tuesday 28 June and her funeral service took place on Sunday 3 July, at St Timothy's Church, Kensington, in Cape Town.
Her daughter, Glynis Kuscus, wrote this beautiful tribute to her mom.
Early years
Doreen was born in Oxford Street, District 6 near Zonnebloem College on 9 November 1920. She grew up in Upper Church Street, Bo-Kaap. Her mother was a staunch member of the St Mark's District Six, whose church members refused to leave and prevented the government of the time from destroying the building. Doreen was baptised at this church and confirmed at St John's in Long Street.
As a District Sixer she was instrumental in helping those community members receive compensation for the homes that they lost because of the forced removal. She was indeed a woman of strength and vision who could not sit idly while others experienced hardship. A woman of substance who epitomised grace, integrity, and compassion with a warm gentle touch of human kindness. She was a true legend who loved her country and was not afraid to speak out against the injustices.
Working life
After her second marriage, to Wilson Jacobs, they moved to Canada for a year, where she was as involved in the church, even becoming a synaxist. In her late 80s she was elected chairperson of the Anglican Women's Fellowship at St Mark's Cathedral in George - a position and fellowship she thoroughly enjoyed.
Her feisty character allowed her to get things done, improving her life and those of her family and the community. Doreen was a fun-loving person who loved to laugh, dance and travel (a month ago she was on holiday with the girls in Mossel Bay, even getting up to watch the sunrise).
Doreen started off in the teaching profession in 1941, but those years when you got married you couldn't hold a permanent position. She left the teaching fraternity in 1958 to join the city council. She was the first coloured woman in the Cape Town City Housing Council.
She was also the first of four females of colour to write and pass their exams as Housing Managers in SA. She spent about 27 years with the council where she was instrumental in arranging houses for the coloured community. She was also in charge of the Mitchell's Plain housing development when it came into being. She was the voice for many of our people - a true District Sixer.
Sports
To mention but a few of her many accomplishments, she married Jerry Martin in 1948 (Jerry died in 1963) and they soon became known in the sporting circles as the sporting couple. Doreen started playing hockey in 1937. She became secretary, treasurer and president of the oldest hockey club at the time, Californians. Throughout her hockey playing days, she was the best graded umpire. Doreen was instrumental in establishing the first ever junior hockey (Arsenal Road Primary School Simonstown).
In 1967 she was manager of the WP Junior Girls Hockey at the first ever Junior Hockey Tournament, held in Port Elizabeth. 1976-1988 she was president of the WP Women Hockey Union. From 1977 to 1988 she held both positions as president of the WP Women Hockey Union and SA Hockey Board - the only person to hold both positions simultaneously. She has had a string of accolades in her lengthy sporting career. In 2008 she was presented with the SA Hockey Badge and a certificate with inscription "Remembering our roots - with thanks and appreciation for your contribution to our history". In 2012 she also the received the Sports Legends Award from the WP Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports, the oldest living member to receive this award. In 2018 she also received the Living Legends Award. In 1950 she and Jerry started their own table-tennis club, Lockwood Table-Tennis-Club. In 1955 Doreen was instrumental in starting California Softball Club, and she became the first ever female chief umpire for softball.
Strangely enough, when she and Wilson came to live in George, 30 years ago, everyone knew her as "Mrs Jacobs", but the rest of country knew her as "Mrs Martin", the icon of hockey, the sporting legend.
Back in the days as a hockey player.
Joys of life
She loved eating out and loved her Sunday "rytjies" to Herold's Bay, where she enjoyed her slap chips, moerkoffie and koeksisters. I would like to thank the community of George who welcomed and treated her with so much love and respect. To the Mediclinic nursing staff my sincere thanks for always treating her with so much love. Whenever she had to be admitted, she was always willing to go because of the treatment she received. The doctors/specialists/physicians who attended to her, thank you for always doing your utmost to give her the best possible treatment, regardless of the age.
A special thank you to our GP, Dr Johanna Botha who had a special bond with her and seeing to her or coming to the house was never too much for her, as she referred to her as tannie Doreen.
The tributes received do great honour to this uniquely amazing resilient dame. The lighting of a hundred candles on the cake at her 100th birthday celebrated the brightness, the love and inspiration she brought to the many lives she touched.
She lived her life by the hymn 218, the first and second verse, especially the second, as growing up they didn't have much, she was always content/happy with what her parents provided for the family.
He that is down needs fear no fall, he that is low no pride;
he that is humble ever shall, have God to be his guide.
I am content with what I have, little be it or much;
And, Lord, contentment still I crave because thou savest such.
This saying by Maya Angelo epitomises Doreen Martin-Jacobs: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Rest in Peace, Muti, from your ever loving korrelkop daughter, Glynis Kuscus.
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